Hi. On Sunstone's yoga etiquette page (maybe even on the yoga room door) ... could you maybe add some kind of wording to explain what "staggering the mats" means for new students or those who have not regularly practiced yoga and may be unfamiliar with common yogi courtesy? Right now the Sunstone etiquette page reads: "Pulling the front row close to the front mirrors and staggering the rows behind allows more people to see the mirrors ..."

Maybe you could clarify: "By staggering the mats, we mean that you avoid coming into the yoga room and placing your mat directly in front of someone who is already there. Even if the room is crowded, please 'cheat' your mat enough to the left or right so that the person behind you will be able to still see the mirror when class starts. Many students allow time to meditate before class so that they are ready to begin a focused practice when class begins; it is disruptive for them to come out of meditation as class starts and find that someone has blocked their view so that they must scramble around to move their mat instead of flowing serenely into their practice. Loving awareness of how to share our practice space brings positive energy into the room from the moment class begins."

Possible? This seems to be a chronic problem with some students and I realize most of them probably did not intend to be rude.

Anne, I know the students who go through the Intro Series know what it means because the teachers show them. Ideally every new student should be going through the Intro Series so this could solve that problem. Let's get more new students going through Intro!

That's really great about the Intro Series ... but I see students who have been practicing for months, even years, coming in class after class and putting their mats directly in front of others and forcing them to move. Those students aren't likely to be going back and taking any kind of introduction class. That's why I thought something posted on the yoga room door might help enlighten those who don't seem to have ever been made aware of this aspect of yoga etiquette and perhaps give others a gentle reminder to share the practice space in the supportive fair minded yogi way.

I am a longtime Sunstone student and I get frustrated when I come in early when the room is nearly empty, put my mat in the front row, lie down and relax, and then get up when class starts only to find that someone has lined up a mat directly behind me. I don't want to look like the jerk who's blocking their view, so *I* have to move over. Not cool.

I understand how it feels to move after being in the room well before class start time. I have a great philosophy. If you do not want to move your mat, own it and do not move your mat. There is nothing more uncomfortable in our body is to do something you do not want to do. For me I move my mat because I am happy to and am excited to share my love and energy with the students around me. I am not attatched to my spot. As long as we can all see and we can all feel together in the room. I am happy.

Nic, thanks
I will take the attitude of owning my spot from now on and not let it bother me if someone's behind me. I just couldn't understand why they wouldn't WANT to be able to see themselves. . . but I guess that's their journey. Ha, maybe they were mad that I moved out the way!

Excellent point! The idea is not to put your mat directly in front of OR directly behind someone who is already in the room, forcing them to move their mat. I just don't think some students understand what "staggering the mats" means in the Sunstone description of yoga etiquette. I might not have known if someone hadn't explained it clearly to me when I first began practicing. Yogis may gain great insights from their practice, but we're still not mind readers (lol).

This is what I do sometimes, just leave my mat where it is, and it is always an interesting challenge to practice without a mirror to help with balance or to be able to check my alignment. Maybe a good experience to have -- definitely out of the comfort zone for me! (lol) I always have a really tough time with Eagle when we raise our arms in front of our eyes ... so I know I am too dependent on the mirror probably.

I am not "attached to my spot" as much as I do not want to miss the beginning of class scrambling around to find a way to see the mirror. I really don't mind moving -- just missing part of my practice. But I guess that too is a way to learn new ways to adapt and maintain serenity ... by joining the class in progress sometimes.

Still, I think it's a loving and positive thing to give students the chance to know bare bones yoga etiquette. Otherwise it would be acceptable for students to walk around the practice room in their street shoes, talking, texting on their iPhones, practicing listening to music on their headphones like at the gym. I mean, there are some basics, right?

I really think it comes down to common sense and common courtesy. I make an effort to get to class early in order to pick the spot I want so it is frustrating if someone comes in later and sets up directly in front of me (especially when there is plenty of space to have NOT done so). And if I do arrive after the room has begun to fill up, I still make a conscientious effort when placing my mat to make sure I am not blocking the view of those who arrived before me! I'm all about sharing energy but I think it also means being courteous and conscientious of your environment! It may be an individual journey but just like traveling by plane, you still have to share the space!

I would suggest that these students are not aware that the spots they choose cause such distress to some in the room.

Perhaps taking a deep breath, find the loving-kindness within and politely explaining to our fellow yogi is a good approach.

This way we aren't faced with choosing to be frustrated or not, we can just help solve the problem.

Perhaps we should also think about our own attachments to what is "right" and "wrong" and take these opportunities to find union, peace and steadfastness, even in challenging circumstances.

=)